[Religion] Unintentional Religion in Tolkien's works?

[burrahobbit]

I had wondered if it wasn't the Catholic influence of the patron Saints that was the inspiration for such beings as the Maiar and Valar.

I see where you are coming from, but I have to disagree. The Ainur are much more akin to the host of angels. Tolkien calls them "angelic beings" several times in Letters, etc.